The week off arrived at the perfect time after a difficult block of games including Yorkshire Carnegie and Hartpury away in a six-day time frame which utilised nearly every member of the playing squad.
#CommunityRugbyClub #CommunityRugby #ChampRugby
After an unexpected rest weekend due to Storm Ciara and events off the pitch this week, the boys are raring to get out on the field and play some rugby.
New signing Michael van Vuuren will make his debut from the bench – we’re sure the #Mob crowd will give him a warm welcome! It’s @LSFCOfficial first competitive visit to Dillingham Park for what will be a great example of #ChampRugby – let’s hope Storm Dennis doesn’t spoil the day!
Ampthill won this fixture 53-22 back in October but they are facing a very different Carnegie with a changed coaching team and several new players on the field and expect a tough challenge.
#AmpthillRUFC #CarnegieRugby #ChampRugby
Ampthill make four changes to the starting line-up and three on the bench for the first visit of the Knights to Dillingham Park.
Matt Collins comes in at tighthead and Shay Kerry returns in the second row. Kevin Barrett takes over the nine jersey in a rotation of the scrum-half pool with Serafin Bordoli returning to the starting fifteen at inside centre.
On the bench, Syd Blackmore and Will Allman are among the forwards replacements with Will Foster covering the back three.
“We were all very disappointed with last week’s effort against a good Ealing side and if we play like that against a very experienced Doncaster Knights it will be a long afternoon.
I’m looking forward to welcoming Clive Griffiths back to Dillingham Park where he used to help out with the coaching. Clive has built a very good side that has had a dreadful run with injuries but they are now getting most of those players back. They did a really good job on Nottingham last week and thoroughly deserved the win.
The Knights have a very big and experienced forward pack and a backline that play a flowing and attacking brand of rugby. They have been in the competition for a long time and understand how to win on the road – we will need to be at our very best if we are going to get anything out of the game.”
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Doncaster Squad
Robin Hislop
Ben Hunter
Colin Quigley
Morgan Eames
Matt Challinor
Tom Calladine
Wian Conradie
Ollie Stedman
Tom James
Sam Olver
Tyson Lewis
Charlie Foley
Lloyd Hayes
Howard Packman
Cameron Cowell
George Edgson
Andrew Foster
Joe Sproston
Rory Pitman
Fotu Lokotui
Sam Pocklington
Kyle Evans
Jack Roberts
Ampthill make just one change from the side that won at Goldington Road against Bedford on Boxing Day with Kevin Barrett replacing Leon Fukofuka.
Ampthill are pleased to be able to welcome one of the most senior officials in the country, with International and Premiership referee Matthew Carley being given the whistle for the afternoon on his first visit to Dillingham Park.
“We have played all the contenders with the exception of the Falcons, and Coventry are definitely the best side we have played this season. They have recruited a lot of experienced players from the Premiership and the Pro 14 so the challenge couldn’t be any bigger.
It’s great to be able to name a side with only one change to the starting fifteen so we will look forward to the Mob fans being our sixteenth man and hope to make it a more competitive game than the last two games we have had against Coventry”
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Coventry Squad
James Gibbons
Joe Buckle
Phil Boulton
James Voss
Alex Woolford
Ben Nutley
Luke Wallace
Ryan Burrows
Tom Kessell
Tony Fenner
Max Trimble
Will Owen
Rob Knox
Andy Bulumakau
Henry Purdy
Jimmy Stevens
Toby Trinder
Luc Jeannot
Adam Peters
Nile Dacres
Pete White
Rory Jennings
Andy Forsyth
Ampthill make the short trip to Goldington Road on Boxing Day in the Greene King IPA Championship in our final game of 2019 and what has been a fantastic year for the club.
Bedford Blues have already announced that Goldington Road is sold out for this game so if you don’t already have tickets don’t travel to Bedford as you will be disappointed.
Ampthill’s line-up sees a few changes from the cup team with Serafin Bordoli replacing Sam Hanks at inside centre and Tongan international Leon Fukofuka starting at scrum-half this week. In the forwards, Soane Tonga’uiha starts against his old club alongside Syd Blackmore, with Billy Johnson partnering Shay Kerry in the second row whilst Jac Arthur retains the 6 shirt after an impressive debut two weeks ago.
“It’s obviously a massive game for both clubs in front of a capacity crowd at Goldington Road and I’m sure it will be a Christmas cracker.
We have made a number of changes to the team that narrowly won in the Cup at Dillingham Park. I thought our defence functioned well, but the lineout and attack were both very poor and if we are going to get anything out of today’s game then we will have to show significant improvements in those areas.”
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Match Gallery: 20191226 Bedford vs Ampthill
Bedford Squad
Sean McCarthy
Robbie Smith
Henry Paul
Jordan Onojaife
Will Carrick Smith
Dan Temm
Joe Atkinson
Alafoti Faosiliva
James Lennon
Will Hooley
Dean Adamson
Oskar Hirskjy-Douglas
Matt Worley
Pat Tapley
Rich Lane
Jacob Fields
Joe Wrafter
Alex Penny
Ed Taylor
Huw Worthington
Grayson Hart
Sam Leeming
Ryan Hutler
When the Championship fixtures were announced in July, the first one the Mob supporters looked for was the Blues at home. Ampthill now face them twice in 12 days, starting with the final round of the Championship Cup, before heading to Goldington Road in the Greene King IPA Championship on Boxing Day.
Excitement for this game at Dillingham Park has been building during the past few weeks, and expectations are for the biggest crowd of the year if not ever. In contrast, the smallest crowd of the season witnessed the best performance at Level 2 last week in a narrow defeat to Ealing Trailfinders. Momentum is key in sport and the boys will look to build on that performance tomorrow.
Ampthill’s line-up sees a few changes from last week’s side with German international Jörn Schroder making his debut at loosehead; Shay Kerry returns to partner Carl Burgess in the second row and Jac Arthur makes his debut for Ampthill at 6. In the backs, Kevin Barrett takes the 9 jersey, captain Louis Grimoldby shifts to fly-half and Spencer Sutherland replaces Josh Gillespie on the wing.
“The first visit by Bedford Blues to Dillingham Park, for the first competitive fixture between our clubs at home, is a truly historic day for all the members and supporters of Ampthill RUFC and I am sure we will see a truly super game of rugby befitting the occasion.
We make a number of changes to the side that ran Ealing Trailfinders so close last weekend and we look forward to seeing how the team acquit themselves in what I’m sure will be a red hot local derby.”
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Bedford Squad
Sean McCarthy
Robbie Smith
Henry Paul
Jordan Onojaife
Will Carrick Smith
Josh Buggea
Joe Atkinson
Dan Temm
James Lennon
Will Hooley
Ryan Hutler
Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas
Matt Worley
Pat Tapley
Joe Green
Jacob Fields
Joe Wrafter
Andrew Boye
Oli Curry
Alafoti Faosiliva
Grayson Hart
Sam Leeming
Charlie Reed
Ealing are looking to retain the trophy this season, and are certainly in fine form – they come into this game with a record of Played 4, Won 4 in the Championship Cup and currently sit second in the Greene King IPA Championship. News of further reinforcements to their squad this week underpins their ambitions.
By contrast, Ampthill had a bad day at Coventry last Saturday and the starting fifteen will be looking to rectify last weeks performance.
“Ealing as the current Championship Cup holders represent a massive challenge for a club of our size, and we are honoured to host such an ambitious club visiting Dillingham Park this Saturday.
After a poor day at the office last Saturday, we have given most of the squad the opportunity to put right a number of wrongs from last week’s performance and we hope they take the opportunity afforded to them to make a substantial improvement on last week’s performance.”
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Ealing Squad
Jordan Els
Matt Cornish
Elliot Millar Mills
Ben West
James Cannon
Kieran Murphy
Andrew Durutalo
Rayn Smid
Jordan Burns
Craig Willis
Reon Joseph
Harry Sloan
Jack Tovey
James Cordy Redden
Tommy Bell
Alun Walker
Josh Pieterse
Craig Trenier
Dave McKern
Oli Robinson
Craig Hampson
Steven Shingler
David Johnston
After what seems a long break since Ampthill's narrow defeat to Jersey Reds at Dillingham Park in the Greene King IPA Championship, the 1st XV resume their RFU Championship Cup campaign with an away trip to Coventry Rugby Club.
Ampthill were given a rude awakening to Level 2 Rugby when Coventry visited Dillingham Park in September with a 17-47 defeat. Having finished the first block of cup fixtures with a record of Played 3, Won 1, Lost 2. Coventry, by comparison, finished with a record of Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1. Ampthill's highlight was a surprise away win to Bedford Blues whilst Coventry's only low point has been a narrow defeat to Ealing Trailfinders (Current Cup Holders).
With most of Ampthill's dual-registered players being recalled this week for Premiership Shield duties, the squad will be more familiar to the traveling Maroon and Gold supporters, with Sam Hanks and Jarryd Sage returning from injury in the centres. Leon Fukofuka and Luvuyo Pupuma make their full debut for Ampthill. Louis Grimoldby assumes responsibility of Captain with Dave Ward, Darryl Veenendaal and Billy Johnson on the bench.
“It’s been a long first block of the season and the squad have enjoyed their week off. We have chosen to make a number of changes to the side that were maybe unlucky to come out of the Jersey game with only a losing bonus point, and to give a number of others a chance to stake a claim for a place in the starting side going forward.
Coventry have had an excellent start to the season, and it will give us a chance to see how far we have progressed since we played them at Dillingham Park in our first ever game at level two.”
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Coventry Squad
Toby Trinder
Joe Buckle
Luc Jeannot
James Voss
Alex Woolford
Ben Nutley
Jack Ram
Senitiki
Will Flinn
Tony Fenner
Henry Purdy
Will Owen
Rob Knox
James Martin
Dan Lewis
Jimmy Stevens
James Gibbons
Gareth Denman
Nile Dacres
Ben Adams
Pete White
Will Maisey
David Halaifonua
Jersey Reds arrive at Dillingham Park in a very similar position to Ampthill, mid table and two losses a piece. Despite both teams currently ranking higher in the league than Nottingham, Ampthill didn’t share Jersey’s success at the meeting. The position Ampthill now hold a testament to their efforts and success since that early encounter. Both teams will also be looking to re-establish their confidence and record after having met with the league 1 and 2 last week for hard matches.
The weather is expected to be dry but cold which should leave the Ampthill pitch in excellent condition for a fast-paced game. With Jersey Reds having a reputation of ‘summing up what the championship is all about’ this will be a good test for Ampthill and measure their progress since promotion.
So far Ampthill have shown they can defend and make points when allowed, can they now regularly create their own opportunities and finish too?
“We have always had a good relationship with Jersey, going all the way back to our first and only competitive game between our respective first teams in the now defunct Champions Cup Final at Twickenham nine seasons ago.
Our second teams have played each other regularly, and Jerseys hospitality when we have travelled to them has been nothing short of outstanding. Jersey Reds are now a well-established and very good Championship side who I think we be pushing for a top three finish this season.
We are obviously disappointed with our performance last week at Cornish Pirates and we hope to improve on that this week”
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Match Gallery: 20191116 Ampthill vs Jersey
Jersey Reds Squad
Roy Godfrey
Antonio Harris
Alec Clarey
Charlie Beckett
Rory Bartle
Conor Joyce
Josh Bainbridge
Janco Venter
Luc Jones
Greg Dyer
Brendan Owen
James Newey
George Spencer
Alex Morgan
Auguy Slowik
Nic Dolly
Harry Morley
Lee-Roy Ata'Lifo
Kyle Hatherell
Jake Upfield
Max Argyle
Will Homer
Jack Stapley
On the face of it Ampthill arrive at the match this week with an advantage of 3 places in the table and 3 points too. Hartpury however beat Nottingham last week, a task that Ampthill did not accomplish when given the same opponents earlier in the season. Is the numeric points advantage to Ampthill merely down to the vagaries of selections or were Hartpury luck last week?
“It great to welcome our old friends from Hartpury to Dillingham Park again this Saturday. We’ve had some great games against each other in the past and I’m sure this weekend will be just the same. Hartpury had a great result last weekend with a very solid win against Nottingham so they are in really good form.
We have picked the same forward pack that started the game against London Scottish last weekend but we make a couple of changes to the backline with player-coach Darryl Veenendaal rotating in at scrum-half and debuts for Sam Costelow ( Dual Registered – Leicester Tigers ) at fly-half and Cameron Anderson ( Dual Registered – Wasps ) at outside Centre, getting their first starts at Dillingham Park.
It is another historic day for the club playing Hartpury for the first time in the Green King IPA Championship and the small matter of the World Cup Final between England v South Africa ( Clubhouse open from 8.30 am ) to start the Day”
Match Gallery: 20191102 Ampthill vs Hartpury
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Ampthill Squad
Hartpury Squad
Dan Murphy
Will Tanner
Alex Gibson
Justin Clegg
Joe Batley
Akapusi Qera
Sam Graham
Seb Nagle-Taylor
Harry Cochrane
Joshua Bragman
Toby Fricker
Luke Eves
Charlie Powell
Nick David
George Simpson
Will Crane
Des Merrey
Mike Flook
Tom Everard
Kieran Curran
Jack Preece
Luke Carter
Mike Wilcox
London Scottish have yet to gain a win in the championship league this season but still sit only a few places below Ampthill in the table. Despite the lack of victories so far, they held both Newcastle and Nottingham to much closer scores than Ampthill have done each time collecting a bonus point for their efforts. With Newcastle and Nottingham sitting second and third in the table it could easily be argued that London Scottish hold their current position in week 3 almost entirely due to circumstances: the ordering of the draw.
Ampthill have adapted to Championship life quickly and secured a notable Cup win away to neighbours Bedford Blues, plus a victory against Yorkshire Carnegie in the League last week. The question remains as to whether Ampthill are on a flip-flop scoring cycle or indeed adapting and progressing well.
With both teams keen to prove themselves and establish their positions away from the relegation zone and a hopeful buffer before the Christmas break the chances are that this will be another big contest.
“I was pleased with large parts of last week’s performance, hence we only make three changes to the starting line up with Will Allman and Sam Hudson refreshing the back row and Rueben Bird-Tullock (Dual Reg from Northampton Saints) getting the start at inside centre.
The bench made a real impact last week and we hope they can do the same again this week”
Match Gallery: 20191026 London Scottish vs Ampthill
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Ampthill Squad
London Scottish Squad
Jonny Harris
Billy Harding
Kyle Whyte
Matas Jurevicius
Luke Frost
Matt Eliet
Lewis Wynne
Mark Bright
Josh Barton
Harry Sheppard
Jonas Mikalcius
Matt Gordon
Elliot Creed
Harry Barlow
Luke Hibberd
James Malcolm
Jordan Brodley
Phil Cringle
Hugh Tizard
James Tyas
Charlie Gowling
Danny Barnes
Bobby Beattie
Whilst both teams enter into this match with a single loss each Carnegie have a small points difference advantage. To counter this though Ampthill have a home pitch advantage and hopefully a supportive crowd to at least even things out.
Yorkshire Carnegie quite publicly have had a change in fortunes since last season and a big reduction in budget means that they are closer to Ampthill’s operating model than a number of the other clubs in the Championship. They do however bring a wealth of experience and talent to the game so things should even out and provide a fitting battle for the crowd.
“It’s a big day for the club hosting the former Premiership side Yorkshire Carnegie in what is an important game for both clubs. Yorkshire are on record saying that they are clearly targeting this game and that should lead to a good contest.
We make a number of changes to the matchday squad with Jon Kpoku and Facundo Dominguez starting in the forward pack and Kevin Barrett, Sam Hanks and Dual Registered, Northampton Saint Josh Gillespie starting in the back Division. The bench sees Will Allman, Mickey Waters and Northampton Saints Dual Reg Centre Rueben Bird-Tulloch make their debuts in the Green King IPA Championship for the Maroon and Gold.
The players selected to play in this match will go down in club history as the first Ampthill Team to play in the Green King IPA Championship and that’s a huge honour for these 23 players. I’m sure it will be a great occasion.”
Match Gallery: 20191019 Ampthill vs Yorkshjire Carnegie
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Ampthill Squad
Yorkshire Carnegie Squad
Flynn James
Benjamin Sowrey
Gareth Smith
Jacob Brady
Alexander Humfrey
Thomas Smith
Henri Lavin
Guy Graham
James Elliot
Joseph Ford
Thomas Varndell
Daniel Lancaster
Joseph Carlisle
Ryan Shaw
Timothy Bitirim
Louis Musetti
Alexander Reid
Conor Davidson
James Seabrook
Callum Bustin
Trystan Lloyd Dafydd
Elliot Turner
Lee Smith
“This is arguably the biggest day in Ampthill Rugby Clubs History playing the club’s first game ever in the Green King IPA Championship at Dillingham Park against Nottingham Rugby.
It has taken many years of effort to take the club from level seven twelve years ago to level two and the Green King IPA Championship and I would just like to personally thank all our members volunteers, Coaching staff medical team and management team for all their efforts over the past twelve seasons.”
Paul Turner names a starting fifteen with three changes to the side that won against Bedford Blues last Saturday at Goldington Road.
Soane Tonga’uiha returns to the side at loosehead prop for his first start of the season and Club Captain Billy Johnson returns at blindside flanker. Former Nottingham Scrum Half Darryl Veenendaal starts for the A’s.
“It’s good to see Soane and Billy back in the side but we know Nottingham rested a number of starters in last week’s game against Cornish Pirates so we are expecting a really tough game.
The players selected to play in this match will go down in club history as the first Ampthill Team to play in the Green King IPA Championship and that’s a huge honour for these 23 players. I’m sure it will be a great occasion.”
Match Gallery: 20191012 Ampthill 1st XV vs Nottingham
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Ampthill Squad
Nottingham Squad
Aniseko SIO
Luke COLE
Oisin HEFFERNAN
Llewelyn JONES
Tom HOLMES
James CONNOLLY
Will OWEN
Josh POULLET
Murray MCCONNELL
Tommy MATTHEWS
Ben FOLEY
Luke PETERS
Harry STRONG
David WILLIAMS
Sean SCANLON
Jake FARNWORTH
Jamie JACK
Ben BETTS
Cameron JORDAN
Sam LEWIS
Alex DOLLY
Tom STEPHENSON
Kyran BUNGAROO
